Act+IV,+Scene+1,+Lesson+Plan

Students to be able to relate a Shakespeare play to the modern world Students to be exposed to Shakespearian language Students to be able to take text and re-write it in their own words Students to understand the text Students to explore characters // “Othello demands proof of Desdemona's infidelity from Iago. Reluctantly Iago tells him he saw Cassio wipe his brow with Desdemona's handkerchief. //// She is asked for the handkerchief by her suspicious husband but cannot find it... Iago now suggests Desdemona shared her bed with Cassio. Iago then talks to Cassio about Cassio's mistress Bianca” // // Iago works over Othello with his deception of Desdemona being unfaithful to Othello, he is now verging on insanity. // Look back at your journal that shows a summary of Act III events. Then verbally go over the last scene with Bianca and Cassio discussing the handkerchief, how it got lost and what it represents (infidelity), what next for Act IV, scene I? Use your prediction by presenting it either; as an interview, or use your creative language skills and in your pairs write a short poem. Share your presentation in class. 2 minutes. Teacher to sum up similar predictions with students agreeing on points made from presentations. First two students A & B out of the group take turns reading, student A is Othello and student B is Iago, and read up to Othello’s fit. Line 45 // Knowledge question // : What are Iago’s lines when saying the Cassio has slept with Othello’s wife and what happens next? // Comprehension question // : What was Iago’s manipulation in this scene? // Application activity // : There is an imaginary Iago and Othello at school – Iago is trying to tell Othello that his girlfriend is with someone else; re-write (in your own words) act V up to line 40, use something else as a symbol – change the handkerchief to something more modern. Students C &D, take Iago and Cassio parts from line 46 and A continues with Othello until line 100. Synthesis question: What do you think would of happened if Othello had woken up from his fit when Cassio entered? Make up a short scenario. Students A & B then take turns reading Cassio and Iago and third student C takes Othello’s part up to line 140. // Application question: // Think of a situation where you have got the ‘wrong end of the stick’ what was the incident and how did you / or did you find out you had the story wrong? Explain. From lines 141 to 160 students C and D, and Othello is swapped to student A, student B takes Bianca’s part. // Knowledge question // : Iago see’s Bianca as a ‘whore’. Give 2 examples of Iago’s judgement of this woman? // Analysis question // : Is Bianca a whore? Is Iago’s judgement something we should believe? Explain. From lines 160 to 200 – Students A & B // Comprehension question // : Othello’s language now describing Desdemona has changed from Act I, what are some examples? Lines 201 to 270 all students take the 4 parts each – free choice of who they want to be // Comprehension question // : Why do you think Shakespeare brought Lodovico in this scene? What does it set-up? // Synthesis question // : What do you think would happen if Desdemona decided not to be obedient towards her husband when he struck her? // Synthesis activity // : Agony aunt letter - Be Desdemona, write in, tell “agony aunt” about your love life and what can you do about Othello? The other partner – Be the agony aunt and give an answer Work on this together // Comprehension activity // : From scene 1, write down 2 of your favourite quotes, explain verbally to your partner in the group why you like them. Then write down the quotes in your journal, box or decorate your 2 quotes, then place lines or arrows out from the quotes explaining why you like it. // Synthesis question // : Write in your own words what you think will happen in the next scene? OR // Evaluative question // : Do you believe Shakespeare? Has he convinced you that Othello could turn against his friend and wife? How? Students in their groups: Application and Synthesis question: Desdemona is a victim of verbal and physical abuse in this scene. Is this a problem today? Give an example Students to split into pairs: Synthesis question: Is Shakespeare still relevant to today’s audience? Explain and give examples from Act IV and from today’s world. Present to class as a poster or powerpoint. Examples are: Iago’s deception, Desdemona being verbally abused, Othello’s … Quotes of Shakespeare’s language Understanding of what is happening in the scene Use of symbols and the power that their imagery brings to the play Plot outline Predictions of what they think might happen next Exploring characters
 * Lesson on Major Scene: **
 * Student Learning Objectives: **
 * Scene I: **
 * Pre-reading activity **
 * Recall Act III – In pairs **
 * During reading: **
 * To read Act IV, scene 1 in groups of four: **
 * // All of the reading must take place standing up and main characters pacing up and down. When there is a third voice from lines 100 to 140 the student who is Othello has to be still and whispers the lines. //**
 * // When the first scene has been read… students in their groups answer the questions below and do the activities: //**
 * Key focus questions and activities: **
 * Post reading **
 * Students can choose either question and is individual work: **
 * I want students to have in their notes: **